The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of selected types of LED (light emitting diodes) lighting on the quality of alfalfa sprouts. In the experiment, cold white, warm white and multicolour: (red, green, blue-RGB) LEDs were applied, and dispersed sunlight was used as a control. The product was examined for the yield and the contents of dry matter, total polyphenols, ascorbic acid, chlorophylls, β-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin and violaxanthin. Cotyledons' mass in the whole plant increased under LED illumination and was up to 50% greater for sprouts grown in RGB light compared to those cultivated in dispersed sunlight. The highest chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents in cotyledons were observed under RGB LED and cold white treatments. Similarly, RGB LEDs allows one to obtain the product with the highest level of total phenolic compounds. The highest ascorbic acid content was observed in sprouts growing under sunlight, followed by RGB.
Keywords: Alfalfa sprouts; Carotenes; Chlorophylls; LED lighting; Light spectrum; Xanthophylls.
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